ABOUT WEAR DAMAGE IN STRAIGHT AND CROWNED MISALIGNED SPLINED COUPLINGS

Aim of this work is to present how the spline coupling tooth geometry may influence the surface fear pattern. In particular the difference between straight teeth and crowned teeth spline coupling is considered. The different tooth profile brings to different contact pressure distributions that, associated to the relative motion between engaging teeth may create different wear patterns on the contact surfaces. Also the effect of the lubrication conditions has been considered. The investigation has been carried on by means of a dedicated spline coupling test rig capable to perform wear tests on components working in misaligned conditions